As previously rumored, Nintendo have issued a press release today confirming the upcoming release of a new Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DSi LL has two screens both measuring at 4.2 inches, but the resolution is exactly the same as the current DSi, meaning it's more likely to be marketed towards the elderly or those with poor eyesight.Due to the larger screens, the device itself weighs 100g more, but it also benefits from a larger stylus and a longer battery life. Right now, it seems Nintendo are only releasing the DSi LL in Japan, where it will go on sale for 20,000 yen (about $220). For comparison's sake, the DSi, released only a few months ago, cost around 18,900 yen at launch.
With Nintendo marketing itself towards a wider audience for a while now, the move is logical, and it solves an issue likely to be holding off a lot of potential buyers. The question here is whether or not Nintendo will be able to drum up interest in what is essentially a five-year-old gadget. Sales figures for the DSi show certain groups are still interested, but a larger-screen DS seems like a move that should have been made a long time ago.
I wouldn't say it's necessarily "bad" for everyone else. You still get the same resolution, but on a larger scale.
If you look at it from the other direction: smaller dot pitch but same resolution isn't "better". It's just smaller.
From the article:
I hate greedy companies who slightly remix old hardware and put it in a new shell and sell it as the latest and greatest.
I hate greedy companies who slightly remix old hardware and put it in a new shell and sell it as the latest and greatest.
It's a good selling portable system with a specific market, I see absolutly nothing wrong with releasing different sizes of it... they did the same thing with Game Boy
I hate greedy companies who slightly remix old hardware and put it in a new shell and sell it as the latest and greatest.
Or, what actually happened to the screens was:
DS --> DS Lite: same size screen, but better quality
DS Lite --> DSi: bigger screen, better quality
DSi --> DSi LL: bigger screen
Yes, really milking it by improving the DS with each revision. How dare they.
You are essentially complaining that Nintendo are taking advantage of advances in technology. You aren't forced to buy the updates.
And as Majesticmerc says: it doesn't appear to be a replacement anyway.
Yup, loads of other stuff improved as well.
(And I don't even have any DS)
What's wrong with it being there?
Its stupid, much more chance of it being hit by mistake, much better having it on the side out of the way,
I guess I'm not sure why you would hit a depressed button on the middle left of the player? Your hand should be off the left of the player, with only your thumb over the d-pad?
I really hope they're working on a next gen product with the design cues of Apple *imagines dual edge-to-edge glass touch screens in an aluminum enclosure*
I skipped the DSi, but I may get this. Bigger screens and better battery life?
I don't have any GBA games. I do have devices like the M3 loaded with homebrew, but Slot 1 devices have since taken the place of GBA slot devices. I also don't have any Guitar Hero games. The lack of GBA slot on this or the DSi is not a big deal to me.
The shortened battery life and ugliness of the DSi made me turn away. If this does have better battery life and looks better than the DSi, then I may pick one up.
Too bad I just bought a DS lite though.
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